Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Saturday, 13 December 2025 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Nalaka Maduranga of Sri Lanka Army on a powerful run
By Shamseer Jaleel
Army Sports Club staged a remarkable second-half comeback to secure their first victory of the Inter Club Rugby League 2025/2026 season, defeating Sri Lions SC 26/17 in a gripping Week 5 clash at Longdon Place last evening. After going into halftime locked at 12/12, Soldiers delivered when it mattered most-striking at the crucial moments to claim a valuable bonus point win.
Sri Lions commanded much of the opening half with early tries from Yohan Dananjaya and towering national player and number 8 Nizran Nilar, while Dilshan Madushanka added the conversion. Army, slow to settle, clawed back through tries by Ijaz Ahamed and Nalaka Maduranga with Dinesh Victoecconverting one to even the scores at the break.
Sri Lions regained the lead shortly after the restart through Teran Karunanayake, moving ahead 17/12 and seemingly poised to press on. However, the Soldiers regrouped swiftly, tightening their defence and asserting dominance through their forwards as momentum shifted dramatically.
The defining moment arrived when Vinod Kumar produced two outstanding tries in quick succession, both crafted from pressure, alert support play, and capitalising on Sri Lions’ handling errors. With Dinesh Victor converting both efforts, Army not only overturned the deficit but secured the all-important bonus point.
Displaying composure under pressure and superior second-half structure, Army SC sealed a confidence-boosting victory one that could ignite their campaign after earlier setbacks.
Referee: Nipuna Amarathunge officiated the game.
